British tennis prospect Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not compete in the forthcoming French Open after being sidelined by a knee tendon injury. The setback also casts doubt over his ability to take part in Wimbledon, adding another hurdle to his recovery journey. The 24‑year‑old, who once occupied the world No. 4 ranking, has been fighting to rebuild his career following a serious arm injury that kept him out of competition for roughly eight months.
Since his comeback in February, Draper has only managed to play nine matches across five tournaments, a stark contrast to the busy schedule he enjoyed before his health woes. His most recent appearance was at the Barcelona Open, where he was forced to retire in the opening round against Tomas Etcheverry. Medical examinations after that match revealed that his pre‑existing knee tendon issue had worsened, prompting doctors to advise him against competing at Roland Garros.
Draper had initially hoped to be fit for the second Grand Slam of the season, but the advice to avoid a five‑set, clay‑court marathon proved decisive. In an Instagram story, Draper explained his situation: "My knee is on the mend and I've started back hitting balls but unfortunately I have been advised not to play Roland Garros.
As gutting as it is to miss another Slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five‑set tennis on clay. Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I've been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!" His message underscored the delicate balance between ambition and long‑term health, especially after a year marked by rehabilitation and limited match play.
The decision is a major disappointment for British tennis fans. Less than twelve months ago Draper was ranked inside the top four worldwide and was viewed as a credible challenger to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for major titles.
Missing Roland Garros now places him alongside Alcaraz, who also withdrew, and makes it highly likely that Draper will fall out of the top 100 when he returns to the tour. His absence is part of a broader pattern of British players struggling with injuries this season. Emma Raducanu remains out of competition as she recovers from lingering post‑viral symptoms that followed an illness in early February. Sonay Kartal has already pulled out of the French Open after suffering a back injury at the Miami Open, while compatriots Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley have also been battling fitness concerns.
Only Cameron Norrie, who is expected to re‑enter the world top‑20 next month, and Katie Boulter represented Great Britain in the singles draw at the Madrid Open. The same limited representation may be seen at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome, unless Raducanu, who is back training, decides to compete at the Foro Italico later this week. Looking ahead, Draper could make his first post‑injury appearance on grass at the Stuttgart tournament, where he captured his inaugural ATP title earlier in 2024.
That event begins on June 8, followed by the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in London the next week, offering a potential pathway back to form before the grass‑court season reaches its peak at Wimbledon. The broader context of the season highlights the challenges faced by British tennis.
While the men’s and women’s tours continue to deliver exciting matches, the injury toll has limited the depth of the national contingent. Sky Sports and its streaming partner NOW are providing extensive coverage of ATP and WTA events, giving subscribers access to a growing portfolio of live sport at no extra charge. In summary, Jack Draper's withdrawal from the French Open is a prudent, albeit painful, decision aimed at safeguarding his long‑term career. With a careful rehabilitation plan, a gradual return to competition on grass, and continued support from his team and fans, Draper hopes to rebuild his ranking and re‑establish himself as a contender on the biggest stages of tennis.